On Monday morning, we headed for Kasperk Castle. We delayed our visit after passing a particularly lush field and gave ourselves a short break to “frolic” amongst the flowers and greenery. Upon arriving on the grounds of the 14th century castle, we gathered on benches and held a writing workshop with B.J. before the tour began. We discussed the nuances and important features of travel writing, a topic we have been focusing on throughout the program. Specifically, we explored how to sum up familiar and unfamiliar places in just a few phrases. After an hour of writing and discussion, our guide took us around the gothic style estate. She took us to the side of the castle and explained the history behind its construction. Then we entered the center of the building and got to experience interactive videos that recreated the interior of the quarters. After arriving at the top floor, we snapped pictures of the striking view and gawked at the abundant greenery of the castle grounds.

—Novi Zhukovsky

***

When I decided to travel to Prague, I had many expectations. I expected the curved lines of Art Deco buildings, the halo of lights off the Charles Bridge. I did not, however, expect an intense and possibly life-altering game of bowling.

The bowling match began when my (admittedly better half) Emma B. and I chose players. Soon, the bowling alley—which was actually more like a hotel but with two bowling lanes and a marine animal mural—grew wild with the sound of victorious shrieks, and dread gasps caused by gutter balls. We laughed; we walked a fine line between not crying and crying; and in the end, we had a great time bowling in Bohemia. Oh yeah, and I was (unofficially) crowned the bowling king with a whopping score of 90 points! Despite the joy of this victory, however, the best part of bowling was, for me, just spending time goofing off with all these gals I never would have met if not for Putney. We’ve come a long way since our first semi-awkward airport encounter. If we’d bowled only a week earlier, I might’ve tried to tone down my victory dance moves. Not this time.

—Emma Bernstein